Streaming Plays Week 8 2016

By Armando Marsal

Between bye weeks and injuries, fantasy owners have to find players to step in for their starters each week. Sometimes it is a player on your bench and other times you just have to pick up a player off of waivers and plug him in your lineup. That will be determined by the league you are in as well as the players you have on your bench. That being said, let’s take a look at some players that you can plug in your lineups this week if you are in need.

Quarterback

Josh McCown, Cleveland Browns
McCown will get the start for the Browns on Sunday against a Jets defense that has been vulnerable against the pass this season. New York is allowing 296 passing yards per game and have given up 13 passing touchdowns (nearly two per game). They are yielding the ninth most fantasy points per game to quarterbacks. Since the Jets are so tough against the run, the Browns may elect to pass it more often, which should create more opportunities for McCown to accumulate some fantasy points.

Running Back

Devontae Booker, Denver Broncos
C.J. Anderson is will not play this week, so the Broncos will hand over the running back duties to Booker this week. Last week, Booker ran for 83 yards on 17 carries and scored a touchdowns while splitting the work with Anderson. This week he could see 20+ touches in a favorable matchup. The Chargers are yielding 80.3 rushing yards per game and have given up eight rushing touchdowns, as well as, 8.7 receptions and 67.3 receiving yards per game, while surrendering two receiving touchdowns to running backs. Booker is not only a streaming option this week, but could become a weekly starter in most leagues moving forward.

Chris Thompson, Washington Redskins
Matt Jones has been ruled out for this week due to a knee injury, so we could see Thompson get some extra run in this one. Last week, Thompson stepped into the game after Jones fumbled a couple of times and ran for 73 yards on 12 carried and caught all seven of his targets for 40 yards. He is a back that can catch passes out of the backfield and should get a decent amount of carries this week. The Bengals are giving up 94.8 rushing yards per game and have allowed four rushing touchdowns, as well as, 5.9 receptions and 47.9 receiving yards per game, while yielding three receiving touchdowns to running backs. Thompson could rack up some fantasy points, specifically in PPR formats.

Wide Receiver

Robert Woods, Buffalo Bills
Woods did not play last week as he is dealing with a foot injury, but is expected to give it a go this week. He is averaging 7.5 targets, five receptions, and 52 yards per game in his last four games. He has topped double-digit fantasy points (PPR formats) in three of those games. If you are looking for a player who could get you about 10 fantasy points and more than likely avoid a goose egg, he is your guy. This is a game where the Bills could be chasing points and will potentially be without their top running back, which could force them to throw it more often. In his last game against the Patriots, Woods caught seven passes for 89 yards. If you need a receiver due to injuries or bye weeks, he makes sense.

Cordarrelle Patterson, Minnesota Vikings
Remember that season that Patterson was considered a good wide receiver heading into fantasy drafts? Yeah, I barely remember it either, but this week that goes out the window if you are in need of a wide receiver. He is averaging 6.3 targets, 5.3 receptions, and 48 receiving yards per game over the last three games. He has also scored a touchdown in back-to-back games. The Bears are giving up 17.1 receptions and 201.1 receiving yards per game to receivers, while allowing eight touchdowns. No other defense surrenders more fantasy points to opposing receivers. It is worth noting that Patterson popped up in the injury report with a potential concussion, so it is something to monitor. If he is healthy and active, he is a solid streaming play.

Tight End

C.J. Fiedorowicz, Houston Texans
Fiedorowicz is averaging 6.8 targets, 4.8 receptions, and 57.3 receiving yards in the last four games, and has also scored two touchdowns. He has a phenomenal matchup against arguably the worst defense against tight ends in the Lions. Detroit is yielding 5.7 receptions and 60.4 receiving yards per game, to go along with seven touchdowns. For those who are hurting at tight end or dealing with a bye, Fiedorowicz could certainly help you in a big way this week. This is the perfect spot for a productive game.

Defense

New York Jets
Dallas Cowboys
Detroit Lions